Rs 18-lakh heist: Robbers uproot ATM, load it on jeep and disappear

Even as the city is fast getting a not-so-welcome name for snatchings, its surroundings are also not that safe. Four unidentified miscreants with covered faces cut open the shutter of a Punjab National Bank (PNB) ATM kiosk at Dhapar, 20 km from the city, on national highway-21 near Lalru, around 1.30am on Sunday, before uprooting the machine that contained Rs 18 lakh and making off with it.

Even as the city is fast getting a not-so-welcome name for snatchings, its surroundings are also not that safe. Four unidentified miscreants with covered faces cut open the shutter of a Punjab National Bank (PNB) ATM kiosk at Dhapar, 20 km from the city, on national highway-21 near Lalru, around 1.30am on Sunday, before uprooting the machine that contained Rs 18 lakh and making off with it.

The point to which officials are gesturing had the ATM affixed to it.
(HT Photo)

CCTV footage shows that a Jeep, a vehicle open from the rear, was used in the crime and that the miscreants stayed inside the kiosk for around 15 minutes. Police sources said the accused went about the heist in a quiet manner and no one around the crime site reported hearing any noise or any suspicious movement.

However, tyre traces have been found outside the kiosk and the police are scanning CCTV footage.

Investigating officer ASI Shamsher Singh said, “We have registered a case of robbery and are scanning the CCTV footage for clues.” SAS Nagar SSP Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said the role of bank officials was not ruled out.

Previous incidents

February 16, 2016: Four miscreants unscrewed an ATM machine of Central Bank of India at Bhabat village in Zirakpur. They uprooted the machine using iron chains tied to a Mahindra Thar SUV, bundled it into the same vehicle and fled. A few hours later, cops recovered the ATM at a deserted spot. No headway has been made.

April 30, 2013: Unidentified thieves looted an unguarded SBI kiosk in Chunabhatti in Chandimandir and fled with Rs 15 lakh.

July 20, 2013: Robbers make an unsuccessful bid to loot a State Bank of India ATM in Sector 26. The machine had Rs 17.9 lakh.